JEFFERSON CITY, MO. ? Republican leaders are supporting an Internet program that allows Missourians to buy cheaper prescriptions drugs from Canada, despite a federal ban on the imports.

House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, announced Thursday that he will sponsor legislation that would allow residents to purchase prescription drugs from Canada. Jetton said the bill is aimed at helping Missouri seniors struggling with costly prescriptions.

“This is probably the biggest concern (seniors) have — how to pay for prescription drugs,” Jetton said. “We think this is a great way to allow them to save some money and be able to get the medicine they need.”

The legislation would bolster an executive order issued by former Democratic Gov. Bob Holden last fall enabling Missouri to join an Illinois initiative known as the I-SaveRx program. The program connects Missouri residents to pharmacies in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom via the Internet. It claims to save residents up to 50 percent off U.S. retail prices on prescription medications.

Since taking office in January, Republican Gov. Matt Blunt has continued Missouri’s participation in the program, despite voicing some concerns during last year’s campaign about the safety and legality of importing drugs.

At odds with the FDA

Missouri’s participation in the I-SaveRx program puts it at odds with U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which opposes the reimportation of drugs from Canada. Last week, the agency seized drugs for 50 customers ordered through the I-SaveRx program. But the agency has not prevented states from setting up Internet sites to help consumers buy drugs through Canadian pharmacies.

So far, more than 80 lawmakers — both Republicans and Democrats — have signed on to the bill, Jetton said. Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has also expressed his support for the plan.

Senior citizen advocates — including AARP — applauded the legislation, saying it would help seniors get the medications they need at a price they can afford.

But Randy Meents, president of the Missouri Pharmacy Assn., said by encouraging Missourians to buy drugs from other countries, lawmakers are putting citizens’ health at risk. In some cases, he said, consumers may think they are getting drugs from Canada but they may have originated in another country with lax oversight of drugs.

“That is not safe for Missouri citizens, and we feel that the House Republicans need to re-examine that position,” Meents said.